During the recent national validation event at Iloilo City Hall for the Gawad Kalasag, the country’s premier annual awards for outstanding contributions in the fields of disaster risk reduction and management and humanitarian assistance, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas vowed to create the “best command center in the Visayas.”
“Our job is to make residents safe,” he affirmed. “I assure support not only for funds but also manpower.”
The mayor indicated they are currently working out an agreement with business firm Gaisano to turn a 375-square meter lot in Iloilo City’s Mandurriao district into the said facility.
If approved, the structure is projected to stand four stories and house the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Public Safety and Transportation Management Office, police stations, and fire stations.
Treñas said he also hopes to erect similar facilities in the city’s other districts.
Iloilo City is currently a finalist for the Best Highly-Urbanized City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council award./WDJ